Royer brace leads Red Bulls over LAFC

The New York Red Bulls shook off last weekend’s loss, riding a two-goal performance by Daniel Royer to victory over Los Angeles Football Club.

LAFC’s Bob Bradley and Chris Armas each approached the match with a degree of nuance, but ultimately the Red Bulls claimed the tightly-contested victory 2-1.

Royer brace leads Red Bulls over LAFC

The first half played out like a chess match. LAFC and the Red Bulls match up well. Finding answers to unlock either team proved challenging for both sides. The visitors elected to attack down Kemar Lawrence’s side of the field through Diego Rossi. Lawrence held up well, but LAFC found chances. The Red Bulls looked for quick counter opportunities and found some success.

Daniel Royer opened the scoring in the 39th minute with his seventh goal of the season. Alejandro ‘Kaku’ Romero Gamarra sent a pass to Michael Murillo down the right flank. Murillo crossed the ball first time. LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller deflected the ball to Royer. Despite being prone on the ground, Royer knocked the ball into the net.

LAFC got their revenge in the second half in the 53rd minute. Rossi received a pass from Carlos Vela in the box. Rossi, alone against Robles, finished easily. Murillo lost Rossi in the buildup to the goal, and the Red Bulls paid the price.

The Red Bulls did come out stronger in the second half, despite conceding. Turning up the pressure, the Red Bulls found opportunities against LAFC. Bob Bradley elected to sit back and wait for opportunities in transition.

Royer doubled his tally with an easy tap-in finishing. In the 80th minute, Bradley Wright-Phillips beat the LAFC offside trap, receiving the ball in space in the box. Wright-Phillips unselfishly held the ball and waited for Royer to join the attack. The 100-goal man slipped a square ball to Royer to finish the play.

The Red Bulls improve to 14-6-2 on the season, level with New York City FC on points with a game in hand. Next up, the Red Bulls head out on an extended road stretch. Their next three opponents are the Chicago Fire, Vancouver Whitecaps, and NYCFC.

Man of the match

Daniel Royer‘s two goal performance showcased a part of his game that has been lacking in 2018, finishing scoring opportunities. To his credit, Royer battled through a long and difficult stretch to find his scoring touch. Both goals are a credit to Royer’s work rate, never giving up on the play and seeing it through.